The CER invited responses to a Consultation Paper on the Review of Connection and Grid Access Policy. It initiates a review of existing connection policy and requests views on the CER’s proposals for the enduring connection policy regime which will be developed over the course of 2016 and on proposals for transitional arrangements to be decided upon in early 2016. IrBEA asked Tom Bruton/BioXL to lead and coordinate the work in regard to written consultation process. Following feedback from members on a draft IrBEA document, today we submitted the finalised IrBEA response.

In summary:

New gate type process targeted to be in place after 30/6/16

The level of non-group applications in 2015 has exceeded any prior level, and current rule set is not fit for purpose

Shorter fixed-time gates are suggested

Your date of application prior to this e.g. to Gate 3 process will probably not matter

Likely to encompass all technologies, not just wind, and to go well below current 5MW non-GPA threshold

Big question posed about planning permission prior to grid – not at all straight-forward to implement

Emphasis shifts away from 2020 targets and talks about renewables having less significance in connection priority (Gate 3 was mainly renewables driven)

Proposes in short term refund on stage 1 payments to DSO/TSO if capacity is surrendered prior to 30/6/16

Priority proposed in short term for DS3 applicants

Short term measure up to 30/6/16 to allow existing connections to apply for 10% MEC increase, where capacity available

The CER has published aConsultation Paper on the Review of Connection and Grid Access Policy. It initiates a review of existing connection policy and requests views on the CER’s proposals for the enduring connection policy regime which will be developed over the course of 2016 and on proposals for transitional arrangements to be decided upon in early 2016. IrBEA has asked Tom Bruton/BioXL to lead and coordinate the following work in regard to written consultation process:
* Draft document prepared for member circulation by 20th January
* Deadline for direct IrBEA member feedback 5pm 26th January
* Document finalised and submitted by 29th January (CER deadline)

DCENR updated some REFIT 3 rules on 16 December. This document sets out amendments that have been incorporated into the REFIT 3 Terms and Conditions for clarification purposes. The main document has been changed and although it doesn’t show up in a search on the DCENR website, the changes can be found through the IrBEA database here

On initial reading it appears the REFIT3 consultation document (notified to Members in an email 7 July as below) is largely a house keeping exercise. We noted that no changes were proposed around the HECHP requirements, or the rates – responses need to be made.

IrBEA has prepared a draft response to this consultation, led by Nick Rackard (Aughrim Energy & Chair of IrBEA’s Grid and REFIT Group). Draft response is available here.

While the closing date for REFIT schemes remains as 4pm on 31 December 2015, in response to a number of queries regarding the status of REFIT applications but which do not include a copy of full planning permission and/or a grid connection offer or agreement, DCENR has issued a clarification. See details.